After Gujarat, Telangana is claimed to be the cash-rich state in the country. But after an in depth inquiry, it is identified that, the state is facing financial problems right from the beginning of the financial year.
The income that is earned through the taxes has been witnessing a decline. In fact, this the reason behind the government’s back step on spending on the various programmes listed out in the Budget.
On Wednesday, the finance minister Etela Rajender conducted a meeting, to discuss about the financial condition and the need to take measures to overcome the crisis.
No question of flagship programmes?
Out of the announcements made by KCR, the 2-BHK scheme will cost Rs 2,500 crore, Rs 90 crore for salaries for 25,000 new employees and Rs 9 crore a month to pay contract staff after regularization. The expenditure on increased Aasara social security pensions and food security cards, has increased manifold due to the sharp increase in the number of beneficiaries.
Apart from this, the flagship programmes like Water Grid, Mission Kakatiya, development of Hyderabad as a global city, laying of new roads in all districts and the Haritha Haaram greenery project are completely away from the budget.
Finance minister expresses confidence
In spite of the disappointing situations, the finance minister Rajendar still expresses his confidence on the situation to be improved in the future days. “We should realize that there are 10 more months to go. We can certainly improve with effective tax collection. It would not be proper to judge the entire year just by taking the performance of first two months,” he said.
“In quantitative terms, the arrears may look huge, but in some departments we have achieved tax collection target of 85 per cent to 90 per cent, which is satisfactory. We are trying to achieve 100 per cent from next month.”
In the meeting, it was felt that the laxity of officials and staff in revenue earning departments has led to the fall in earnings. “The staff is under the impression that only two months have passed and they have ample time to set things right. But that is not right. If the laxity continues, the arrears would pile up with each passing month and build pressure on the department to collect the huge arrears in a short span. Targets cannot be met with this kind of approach,” said an official.
However, it seems like, even KCR is very confident that the budget will be improved in the future days. In fact, that might be the reason for his announcements on more development programmes in the state.
By Phani
